I told you guys... 1 in 5 odds... with only $300K to spend,,, Got to LOVE IT... we would have had 0% as in 0% under the old system as someone would have probably paid an all-time record $$$$ bonus to land him and I mean $50+ million bonus...

GET IT DONE AJP!

Its all about FAMILY and Otani has FAMILY like ties with many Padres officials/owners/FO personnel... Including AJP who has wine and dine with the phenom in Japan not just this year but many times in prior years as well.. WE ARENT a Bandwagon jumping organization here.. we truly have a unique and special relationship with Otani and Japan Baseball... Welcome to San Diego Mr Otani, now let me introduce you to the best pitching coach in baseball...

^^^ Call me if you need me AJP I got my sales pitch down... all I ask is to face Mr Otani ONE time in ST and Free Padres tickets for 4 for a lifetime (or 50yrs) whichever is greater...

Gotta hope all the Japanese connections make him comfortable. It’s not going to be an easy transition, and having that familiarity with people he can trust could be a significant factor.

City, Stadium, weather, pitching coach are all at the very least not hurting us.

That statement from Cashman sounded a bit salty and seemed to imply that Ohtani maybe didn’t want a big spotlight on him with the small market comment. That would seem to somewhat rule out the Dodgers and Giants. We may very well be at the top of his list.

Sherman tweeted, "It's a little thing, but perhaps a little thing worth mentioning since comfort seems to be big issue for Ohtani: He trained with Nippon Ham Fighters last 2 years in #Padres Peoria, Az. spring site. Team had a working agreement with Padres"https://twitter.com/Joelsherman1/sta...83916121968640

I wish I wasn't getting excited about this.

EDIT: And someone mentioned Nomo's kid is Ohtani's translator. I must have missed that earlier.